Meet Our Team

Mike Gamble is the Founder of Tourism Diversity Matters and Co-founder of SearchWide Global, a full-service executive search firm. Prior to TDM and SearchWide Global, he was SVP of Sales and Marketing for the Philadelphia CVB and held various leadership roles with Marriott International. He has served on the foundation boards of Destinations International, PCMA, MPI, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities and is currently on HSMAI America’s board and Foundation as well as the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors.

Mark leads our venue search practice (convention centers, stadiums, arenas, fairs, and PAF facilities). He also manages our convention, tradeshow, and experiential event marketing segments, in addition to his work with DMO’s, associations, and sports. He served six years as a Board Trustee with the IAVM Foundation before serving on IAVM’s board as an executive committee member and their Leadership Task Force Committee. Before joining SearchWide Global, Mark spent over 15 years in the convention industry.

Kellie works in all sectors of hospitality, travel and tourism. She is an expert at recognizing clients’ needs, identifying best-in-class talent and leads our industrywide diversity initiative. She proudly serves on the Destinations International Foundation Board of Trustees is very involved in several other industry organizations. Previously, Kellie worked in the DMO and hotel industry.

Cambria graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a master’s degree in Emerging Media and Communication and completed post-graduate studies at the London School of Public Relations. With over 10 years of experience in destination marketing, market research, digital marketing, and public relations, she manages the planning, development, and implementation of marketing programs at SearchWide Global.

Nicole works in all sectors of the hospitality and travel industry. Her experience in group sales, catering and event planning gives her a unique perspective on executive level recruitment. A member of MPI, Southern California Chapter, she served on the Executive Board as President.

John leads SearchWide Global’s hotel and resort practice. Prior to joining SearchWide Global, he was Director of Sales with the Cincinnati CVB and served 12 years in the Chicago hotel industry dedicated to his sales and leadership positions with Starwood and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.

Andrea specializes in executive search for C-Level and Director Level professionals as well as business development in the experiential event marketing segment along with the tradeshow and convention industries. Her previous experience at a SaaS company focused on leadership development, her experience in hospitality, and her skills in business strategy, organizational effectiveness, change management, and talent acquisition bring a unique perspective to Executive Search and Organizational Strategy.

Jennifer joined SearchWide Global as an accountant and now manages the daily operations; including providing top-level customer service while ensuring the search process is completed successfully. Her consistent drive for efficiency brings a unique, all-encompassing perspective to SearchWide Global.

Renee assists with Director and C-Level searches as well as business development initiatives for SearchWide Global. Before joining SearchWide Global, she spent nearly 7 years working in hospitality human resources, including most recently serving as a Talent Acquisition Specialist for a Hospitality Management & Consultancy group in Seattle. Renee graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University in the City of New York with a degree in Anthropology.

Tracy manages search logistics across all sectors, ensuring that the process is completed successfully, and assists with daily operations. Prior to SearchWide Global, she spent 11 years in the sports and events industry. Tracy holds a communications degree from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

Danielle graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a Communications and Marketing degree. With interpersonal communications and client relationship experience, she focuses on assisting the project coordinators with interaction with clients, along with assisting with SearchWide Global’s daily marketing operations.

Kathryn graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Business Administration – Marketing. She has 14 years of experience in hotels and resorts, including properties on Amelia Island and in South Beach, FL. Kathryn assists with SearchWide Global’s hotel and resort searches and business development initiatives.

Always a lover of literature and writing, Donna received her bachelor’s degree from Dillard University, where she studied English. She has more than 20 years of experience in sales and business development, including serving several years as a Senior Sales Manager for a convention and sports authority. Donna assists with Director and C-Level searches and business development initiatives for SearchWide Global.

Yvonne E. Drayton is the Director of Operations for Tourism Diversity Matters. As director of operations, Yvonne develops, maintains, and evolves strategic partnerships and creates strategies to support the organization’s DEI consulting practice, educational training, and workforce development, which includes the national apprenticeship program. Yvonne is also a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant who conducts culture analyses and devises strategies to assist clients by generating value for DEI through the role of data as a strategic asset that guides the evaluation of organizational strengths and weaknesses and builds DEI competencies across the organization to support successful, incremental change.

Sara assists with daily operations and manages search logistics across all sectors, ensuring the successful completion of the process. Before SearchWide Global, she spent several years working as a Human Resources Specialist. Sara holds a degree in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration from Minnesota State University – Mankato.

Rogine brings over 20 years of experience in human resources, most recently working as a Director of Human Resources with a Golf and Sports Division before joining SearchWide Global. She plays an important role in verifying references for candidates.

Greg Deshields is the Executive Director of Tourism Diversity Matters and he is a Qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), proficient in developing and implementing plans, strategies, and initiatives specifically designed to raise destinations’ image for diverse, multicultural travel. DeShields is also an Experienced Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), with demonstrated cultural competence. Prepared to strategically position an organization to remove systemic barriers to inclusion, lead culture change, and transform the brand.

Yvonne E. Drayton is the Director of Operations for Tourism Diversity Matters. As director of operations, Yvonne develops, maintains, and evolves strategic partnerships and creates strategies to support the organization’s DEI consulting practice, educational training, and workforce development, which includes the national apprenticeship program. Yvonne is also a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant who conducts culture analyses and devises strategies to assist clients by generating value for DEI through the role of data as a strategic asset that guides the evaluation of organizational strengths and weaknesses and builds DEI competencies across the organization to support successful, incremental change.

Sofia Mendoza is the Executive Assistant for Tourism Diversity Matters. She is responsible for the general day-to-day support of TDM to ensure efficient operations and communication for the organization.